Cairns, Australia

Depart: 6:00 pm

Washed by the Coral Sea, the harbour town of Cairns is located on Australia's north-east coast. The seafront esplanade is a popular place for locals and visitors to walk, swim, and picnic under the shade of swaying palm trees. The hills surrounding Cairns form the gateway to the Queensland rainforests, proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their fauna and flora from the Gondwana era.

Willis Island, Australia

The Coral Sea Islands Territory is an territory of Australia extending east and south from the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, with 51 islets and cays along with 30 separate reefs and atolls, Willis Island being the only permanently inhabited island. The Willis Island weather monitoring station was established in 1921 to provide a cyclone early warning service for Queensland, and four weather observers usually live on the island. The recently established Coral Sea Marine Park is one of the world's largest marine parks, and protects 16 different seafloor, 15,000 square kilometers of reef systems, an abundance of corals, reef fishes, sea stars, clams, and sea cucumbers. While landings are prohibited, if time and weather permit, you will have the opportunity to explore the Willis Islets from the zodiacs.

At Sea

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the Ponant photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship's upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

Cruising Hardy Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system, composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,300 kilometers along Australia's tropical East Coast. It supports a wide diversity of life and was selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. Hardy Reef is home to the innovatively designed Reefworld Pontoon, ideally situated in shallower waters with protection from the surrounding sea conditions. You will be transferred by zodiac to the pontoon which provides easy access to the aquatic realm either by semi-submersible, underwater viewing chamber, snorkeling, or diving. There is also undercover seating and tables, sun decks, freshwater showers, and change rooms.

Middle Percy Island

The explorer Matthew Flinders described the cove at West Bay on Middle Percy Island as "one of the prettiest little places imaginable". The largest of the three islands in the group, Middle Percy is a favorite stop for cruising yachtsmen en route between the tropical north and southern seas. An A-frame hut on the beach at West Bay is decorated with memorabilia and souvenirs from these yachts. After a short zodiac ride to the beach at West Bay, you can relax on this picture-postcard beach or take a refreshing swim in the clear waters. For the more energetic, there are walking trails where you may catch a glimpse of some of the native and introduced wildlife.

Lady Musgrave Island, Australia

Lady Musgrave is an uninhabited 14-hectare coral cay on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. This island is a nesting place for green turtles and loggerhead sea turtles. It also attracts large numbers of birds including wedge-tailed shearwaters (muttonbirds) which nest in burrows in the ground. Small whitetip reef sharks and leopard sharks can be seen in the shallows around the island, while the coral lagoon, with its multitude of fish and coral species, is perfect for snorkelling.

At Sea

During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the Ponant photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship's upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest, and entertainment.

At Sea

Hawkesbury River, Australia

The tranquil Hawkesbury River has its origin at the confluence of the Nepean and Grose Rivers, flowing past honeycomb-colored cliffs, historic townships, and riverside hamlets for approximately 120 kilometers to its mouth at Broken Bay. The bay comprises three arms, the estuary of the Hawkesbury River in the west, Pittwater to the south, and Brisbane Water to the north. Taking in over 100 kilometers of coastline along the southern edge of Broken Bay, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park is a classic mix of sandstone, bushland, and water vistas. You will have the opportunity to view the coastline and bays from the ship's fleet of Zodiac.

Sydney, Australia

Nestled around one of the world's most beautiful harbours, Sydney is both trendy and classic, urbane yet laid-back. Composed of ocean and light, of sailors and businessmen, this city alone inspires many travellers to visit the "Land Down Under". Located between the Pacific Ocean and the elegant silhouettes of the Blue Mountains, it encapsulates the Australian way of life: surfing beaches, quiet suburbs, skyscrapers, Victorian cottages, and tropical gardens. Sydney is filled with history and harmoniously blends old world charm and ultra-modern architecture, with its sail-shaped Opera House which sits alongside the historic district of The Rocks as the Harbour Bridge stretches across the bay.

9 Night Exploring Australias East Coast Islands Cruise from Cairns

Day by Day Summary and Map